From the Booking Desk:
If you attend crime fiction-related conventions, you no doubt know Cathy Ace. Cathy is boisterous and witty, but also unassuming and unpretentious. Successful in writing across styles – from the cozy end of the spectrum to her more recent psychological suspense outing – Cathy is whip-smart and a wonderful conversationalist. No convention is complete for me until I have been able to spend some time with Cathy – preferably over a few French Martinis. If you haven’t had the chance to meet this delightful human being yet, please allow me to introduce you.
Name: Cathy Ace
Location: About 40 miles east of Downtown Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada
This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:
This has to be THREE people; my mum and dad and my sister, each for a different reason. When my short story Dear George was produced for BBC Radio 4, Mum, Dad and my sister, Sue, listened to it live in Swansea, while my husband and I listened to it in Canada; we all almost burst with pride. I meanβ¦it was on the BBC! Dadβs death shortly thereafter made me realize I might not be immortal after all, and that if I was going to write more crime fiction Iβd better get on with it. So I did. Iβm pleased to say Mumβs still alive and well, and she and Sue are my first readers for everything I writeβ¦thirteen novels and two collections of short stories and novellas so far. Every time something Iβve written is published Mumβs voice is thick with emotion when she says, βDaddy would be so proud of you.β
One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:
This is a really difficult question to answer because I have been so kindly, and generously, treated by so many people within our small and warm community, and there are inspiring role models aplenty. But I have to plump for Catriona McPherson. After a late-evening arrival in March 2014, I walked into the bar (surprise, surprise!) at Left Coast Crime in Monterey. Catriona was huddled with a small group, and was most welcoming. We started to chat β and we hit it off immediately. I was a bit star-struck because I knew she was βThe Dandy Gilver Womanβ, shortlisted for the Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award that year (she won), but she couldnβt have been more inclusive of an unknown author with a second book coming out to absolutely no fanfare whatsoever. Since then I have been amazed and inspired by her work ethic and talent (I donβt know how she writes and promotes so many excellent books each year, of such different types) and her genuinely warm, generous and bubbly persona. She never seems to stop in terms of her own work, nor in terms of supporting and promoting other authors. I was chuffed to bits that she agreed to interview me when I was Toastmaster at Left Coast Crime earlier this year β a wonderful βfull circleβ moment.
STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:
Doctor Who. Every incarnation. I have watched Doctor Who since it began β Iβm part of the original Doctor Who generation, and am so pleased with what Russell T Davies did with the reboot. Brilliant. I still watch every episode at least three times. Favourite episodes? Blink, Turn Left, The End of Time and The Day of The Doctor. (Whovians β let the debate begin!) Iβm also extraordinarily proud that not only do I know βRussellβ from my days in West Glamorgan Youth Arts, but that Alex Kingston, aka Dr. River Song, was the actress who read my short story Dear George when it was produced for the BBC.
People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):
Iβm not sure the topic has ever come up, so it may or may not surprise people to discover I am a HUGE fan of David Bowie. I swear thereβs a Bowie song for every moment of my life β sad, happy, hurt, or just reflective. His words and music have been the soundtrack of my life (inside my head, in any case). Just today I was driving when βChangesβ was played on the radio; I cannot believe the changes that have taken place in my life since I first heard that song. I bought every album from Hunky Dory onwards with saved-up pocket money (I caught up later on with the earlier releases) and still have them all. I cried with a many-times-broken heart as a teen to those albums, have bounced around in delight listening to them, and have used them to sooth me in times of real depression and loss. Posters of Bowie (and Bolan, to be fair) covered my bedroom walls, and I still feel the sting of Ziggy no longer playing guitar.
My personal catch phrase is:
βDonβt dream it, be it.β
Shamelessly pinched from The Rocky Horror Show. Tim Curry ran a close second in the question about me stalking someone, not just because of his portrayal of Dr Frankenfurter (I saw him in the play in London, when it ran originallyβ¦on a trip with the Girl Guides, of all things, and watch the movie at least once a year, even now) but also because of his incredible acting talent in general…and that voice! His National Theatre performances in London in the 1980s were breathtaking β I saw him in all three roles, twice each!
Cathy is a wonderful writer! She and Catriona make a great pair–and I’m a bit star-struck with both of them. I’m so glad her mum can enjoy her success.
Aww…thanks, Connie. You’re so kind. I, too, am thrilled that Mum can enjoy my work, and I very much enjoy the chance to do anything with Catriona! And as you feeling star-struck? Next time I see you, we need a hug LOL π
Top notch sketch and sketch subject. Cathyβs warmth and humor are well demonstrated.
Thanks Debra π
It’s so great to see Cathy here! She’s amazing!
Dear Cathy Ace, remember the crenoids? I bet you do. I loved them on Dr. Who. No one else knows what I’m talking about when I mention them.
You were a fun MC at LCC in Vancouver and your most recent book was smashing.
Write on!
They were vile creatures, Kay. But, whatever new terror might emerge, it’s still the DALEKS that give me most nightmares! So pleased you enjoyed The Wrong Boy – it really came from the heart (you know, in a “good” way!) π
I’m thrilled and honoured to be here, Sherry. But it’s a bit early in the morning for me to feel amazing π
Cathy is an amazing person and author. When people ask me, who should I read next, I point them her way!
Thank you so much, Ellie! Very kind of you β and Iβm delighted you enjoy my work so much that you feel able to recommend it. Cheers!
After meeting Cathy in the bar (surprise!) at this year’s Left Coast Crime I immediately remedied my not yet having read any of her books by buying and reading THE CORPSE WITH THE GOLDEN (terrific!). What a fab gal and fab author.
And Cathy, one of my most exciting moments as a teenager was driving with my dad in London : We came to a stop at a red light and when I turned to look into the window of the taxi that had pulled up next to us, there was John Pertwee in the back seat (alas, no cape or scarf; but that hair!)
Oh Leslie – John Pertwee….that close! WOW! I understand there are rumblings that his son might be asked to participate in the future, in some way…he recently dressed as his father (as The Doctor) and the photos went viral! Now that would be quite something! The cape and ruffled shirt coming back? YAY! So pleased to have met and chatted, and so pleased, too,that you enjoyed the book. Thanks for choosing to spend time with Cait Morgan. Cheers π
So, is this where I confess I have never watched Dr. Who? At this point, Iβm not even sure where I would start.
Hi Mark – how lucky you are! You have such wonders to behold π If it’s a serious question – I suggest you begin with the “reboot”. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436992/episodes?season=1 ENJOY!! π
The story about your family, and your mom’s words about your dad, have made me tear up. So happy for you, Cathy!
Barb – my mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you and I thank you. (Yankee Doodle Dandy is one of the films I’d watch with my Dad – singing along. I last uttered it at the gathering after Dad’s funeral.) Kleenex, please…
Bowie and Frank-n-Furter and the Doctor! Let’s be best friends!
But of course! Those of us blessed with the best of taste must huddle together in a world which views us as ___________ (feel free to fill in the blank, then ignore it!) π LOL
Thanks you so much, Ellie! Very kind of you – and I’m delighted you enjoy my work so much that you feel able to recommend it. Cheers! π
Great CS this week!
I started with Doctor Who during Tom Baker’s run as The Fourth Doctor. I’ve met Peter Davison (The Fifth Doctor), but I have almost no memory of any of the “classic” series episodes.
As for the RTD reboot, I’ve loved most of it. Like you Cathy, one of my favorite episodes is “Blink”.
I also loved “The Girl In The Fireplace”. But there are so many that I liked that it is hard to come up with a list off the top of my head right now.
Hello Jay – Tom Baker? Loved him so much…such joy in everything! I, too, have met Peter Davison – lovely man, and it’s quite mind-boggling that he’s David Tennant’s father-in-law! I must be a bit older than you to be able to remember William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee…but admit to not having been an avid viewer for Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy’s incarnations. Paul McGann was just fine, but the RTD reboot period is stellar! And The Girl in the Fireplace made me cry π
Cathy, I must confess that yes you would likely be chronologically older than I am because I didn’t see any of the Hartnell, Troughton or Pertwee time as The Doctor.
I’ve seen the various clips and bits and pieces but that’s about it.
All the more to enjoy, Jay
I agree completely with Kris. NO CONFERENCE IS COMPLETE WITHOUT TIME SPENT WITH CATHY. She is a unique force of nature, who enriches us all with her presence.
I had the pleasure of meeting Cathy at Malice this year and thoroughly enjoyed our conversation. Looking forward to seeing you again, Cathy.